Bore masking system

ABSTRACT

A bore masking system for effectively protecting the interior surface of a bore during all phases of the painting process. The bore masking system includes a tubular shield formed from a hydrophobic sheet to protect the interior surface of the bore during the various phases of the painting process including cleaning, painting and curing. The hydrophobic sheet repels liquids such as water, chemicals and paint to ensure the structural integrity of the tubular shield during the painting phases.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to bore masking devices and morespecifically it relates to a bore masking system for effectivelyprotecting the interior surface of a bore during all phases of thepainting process.

Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Painting of objects with bores is done every day. The bore may becomprised of a circular cross sectional area having a first open end anda second open end. It can be appreciated that the bore may have only oneopen end with a second closed end. The bore may have a smooth interiorsurface or a non-smooth interior surface (e.g. a plurality of splines orgrooves). The bore may also include a keyway and/or rounded surfaceopenings.

Examples of objects that are painted having at least one bore includesparts for tractors, tractor loader hinges, frame parts, support arms,hinges, joints, pulleys, sprockets, and other structures where a pin (orother elongated object) is later inserted through the bore afterpainting the object. While the objects typically painted are constructedof metal, the objects may be constructed of non-metal materials. It isimportant that the interior surface of the bore is not damaged orcontaminated before, during or after the painting process. Painting ofobjects typically has three phases: (1) cleaning the object ofundesirable substances, (2) applying paint to the object and (3) curingthe paint.

Cleaning of the object includes but is not limited to abrasive blasting(e.g. sandblasting, bead blasting, shot blasting, sodablasting, wetabrasive blasting), spray washing, dip washing or otherwise applying achemical cleaner to the object. Painting of the object may beaccomplished using various types of painting processes including but notlimited to liquid painting (e.g. spray painting), powder coating,e-coating (electrophoretic deposition), electroplating, plating andanodizing. Curing of the paint includes but is not limited to heating ina bake oven, fans or ambient air drying.

It is important to protect the bore of the object during the cleaningprocess from being directly contacted with the cleaning material,particularly when abrasive blasting processes such as sandblasting areused, to prevent the interior surface of the bore from being physicallydamaged. It is further important to protect the bore of the objectduring the actual painting portion of the painting process to preventpaint from being applied to the interior surface of the bore. Whilepaint may be applied by spraying a liquid paint with spray nozzles,paint may also be applied by dipping the object within a dip tankcontaining the paint. Finally, it is important to protect the bore ofthe object during the curing of the paint so that paint applied to theexterior of the object does not accidentally drip into the bore prior tohardening.

To protect the bore of the object during the painting process, usersmust mask the bore with a masking product to prevent damage to theinterior surface of the bore. Conventional masking products used to maska bore include silicone plugs (tapered and non-tapered), silicone flangecaps, EDPM pull plugs, masking tape, flexible silicone foam cord andsilicone tubing. One of the problems with conventional masking productsis that they typically are sized to fit within a specific diameterand/or length of bore thereby requiring a painter to purchase varioussizes of the masking products for different diameters and/or lengths ofbores. Tapered silicone plugs do exist however they are limited to arange of diameters and can leave the distal end of the bore exposed ifnot properly used. Another problem with conventional masking products isthey are not suitable for allowing a hook or other support member toextend through the bore to support the object during the cleaning,painting and/or curing processes. A further problem with conventionalmasking products is that they may potentially maintain a conductivitybetween the hook and the part to be painted. Another problem withsilicone plugs is that they can be difficult to remove from the boreafter the paint is cured. Another problem due to the high cost ofsilicone, returnable systems must be put into place and managed whichcan include cleaning of the plug as paint sticks to them and flakes offcausing defects if used again and not cleaned which also creates a messof paint flakes for the user during handling.

One type of masking product recently used is compressed cardboard rolledup to be inserted into the bore. Recently, flat and planar resilientsheets of non-metal gasket material have been used as a masking productto provide a solution to the inherent problems with conventional maskingproducts. In particular, the gasket material is received by the painterin sheet form (e.g. 5×7 inches) and the painter manually rolls the sheetof gasket material into a tubular sleeve that is then inserted into thebore and then allowed to expand to the size of the bore to protect theinterior surface of the bore. Another example of a gasket material thathas been used as a masking product for the past couple of years is VB-72PRO-FORMANCE®/MICROPORE® manufactured by Interface Solutions, Inc. inLancaster, Pa. While the sheets of gasket material rolled into a tubularsleeve solve the problems experienced by the older masking productsdiscussed above, a new problem was encountered wherein the gasketmaterial absorbs liquids during the cleaning process. After the gasketmaterial absorbs the liquid, the gasket material loses some of theresiliency needed to remain snugly within the bore. Once the gasketmaterial has absorbed a portion of liquid and loses its resiliency, thegasket material may sag exposing portions of the bore or may completelyfall out of the bore. In addition, the gasket material also absorbedpaint creating similar problems and also creating the problem of whenthe paint is cured with baking that the paint absorbed by the gasketmaterial is cured to the interior surface of the bore making a cleanremoval of the gasket material difficult.

Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a needfor a new and improved bore masking system for effectively protectingthe interior surface of a bore during all phases of the paintingprocess.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a bore masking system which includesa tubular shield formed from a hydrophobic sheet to protect the interiorsurface of the bore during the various phases of the painting processincluding cleaning, painting and curing. The hydrophobic sheet repelsliquids such as water, chemicals and paint to ensure the structuralintegrity of the tubular shield during the painting phases.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features ofthe invention in order that the detailed description thereof may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction or to the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of thedescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1a is an upper perspective view of a stack of sheets comprised of aplurality of hydrophobic sheets.

FIG. 1b is an upper perspective view of a hydrophobic sheet removed fromthe stack of sheets.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the hydrophobic sheet in the initial planarstate.

FIG. 3a is a side view of the hydrophobic sheet in the initial planarstate.

FIG. 3b is a side view of the hydrophobic sheet starting to be rolledupon itself.

FIG. 3c is a side view of the hydrophobic sheet partially rolled uponitself.

FIG. 3d is a side view of the hydrophobic sheet rolled into a tubularshield.

FIG. 4a is an upper perspective view of the hydrophobic sheet in theinitial planar state.

FIG. 4b is an upper perspective view of the hydrophobic sheet startingto be rolled upon itself.

FIG. 4c is an upper perspective view of the hydrophobic sheet partiallyrolled upon itself.

FIG. 4d is an upper perspective view of the hydrophobic sheet rolledinto a tubular shield.

FIG. 4e is an upper perspective view of the tubular shield prior toinsertion into a bore of an object.

FIG. 4f is an upper perspective view of the tubular shield partiallyinserted into the bore.

FIG. 4g is an upper perspective view of the tubular shield contractedand fully inserted into the bore with both ends of the tubular shieldextending outwardly from the bore.

FIG. 4h is an upper perspective view of the tubular shield expandedwithin the bore to engage and contact the interior surface of the bore.

FIG. 4i is a side view of the object with the tubular shield within thebore inserted into a cleaning tank with a liquid cleaning solution.

FIG. 4j is an upper perspective view of the object being painted andwith the bore protected from the paint.

FIG. 4k is an upper perspective view of the tubular shield removed fromthe bore after painting to expose a clean interior surface of the bore.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4 j.

FIG. 7a is a cross sectional view taken along line 7 a-7 a of FIG. 4 g.

FIG. 7b is a cross sectional view taken along line 7 b-7 b of FIG. 4 h.

FIG. 8a is a side view of the tubular shield positioned within the borein a contracted state.

FIG. 8b is a side view of the tubular shield positioned within the borein an expanded state.

FIG. 8c is a front view of the tubular shield positioned within the boreof the object.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the overall process and method of usefor the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 9 illustrate a bore 12 masking system, which comprises ahydrophobic tubular shield formed from a hydrophobic sheet 20 to protectthe interior surface of the bore 12 during the various phases of thepainting process including cleaning, painting and curing. Thehydrophobic sheet 20 repels liquids such as water, chemicals and paintto ensure the structural integrity of the tubular shield during thepainting phases.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3d, 4d through 4k , the present invention iscomprised of a hydrophobic tubular shield that is compressed to asmaller exterior diameter than the interior diameter of the bore 12thereby allowing the hydrophobic tubular shield to expand and directlycontact the interior surface of the bore 12 along the entire length ofthe bore 12. The hydrophobic tubular shield is formed from a hydrophobicsheet 20 having a first surface 22 and a second surface 24 opposite ofthe first surface 22 as illustrated in FIGS. 1a through 3a of thedrawings. In one embodiment of the present invention, the end user (e.g.a painter) forms the hydrophobic sheet 20 removed from a stack of sheets30 (or cut from a bulk roll of material) into the hydrophobic tubularshield. In another embodiment of the present invention, the hydrophobicsheet 20 is formed into the hydrophobic tubular shield at amanufacturing facility and then shipped to the end user in a tubularstructure.

B. Hydrophobic Sheet

Hydrophobic sheet is comprised of a hydrophobic resilient materialsufficient in resiliency to expand the hydrophobic tubular shieldagainst the interior surface of the bore 12 to prevent accidentalremoval of the hydrophobic tubular shield during cleaning, painting andcuring processes performed on the object 10. The hydrophobic sheet 20 isfurther comprised of a material that is resistant to heat up totemperatures of 400 degrees Fahrenheit or more which are encountered ina bake oven used for curing paint after painting the object 10. Thehydrophobic sheet 20 preferably has a tensile strength of at least 1,500PSI and further preferably has a tensile strength of at least 3,500 PSI.The hydrophobic sheet 20 further preferably has a minimum recoverypercentage of at least 50%. The hydrophobic sheet 20 further preferablyhas a compressibility of only 3-10% at 1,000 PSI. The hydrophobic sheet20 is further preferably comprised of a material that provides chemicalstability along with resistance to water, oils, liquid chemicals, paint,steam and gases.

The hydrophobic sheet 20 has an initial state which may be planar shape,curved shape or pre-formed into a tubular or semi-tubular shape. Thehydrophobic sheets 20 may be formed into a stack of sheets 30 which mayor may not be separated by a separating sheet of material to preventsticking of the hydrophobic sheets 20 together (alternatively, anonstick coating on one side of the hydrophobic sheet 20 may be appliedto prevent sticking of the sheets 20 such as polytetrafluoroethylenesold as TEFLON® by DuPont).

The hydrophobic sheet 20 is preferably comprised of either a square orrectangular shape when in the initial state thereby allowing theformation of a tubular structure having consistent and parallel ends asillustrated in FIG. 8c of the drawings. The hydrophobic sheet 20 mayhave various dimensions and thicknesses depending upon the diameter ofthe bore 12.

The length L of the hydrophobic sheet 20 is measured transverse to alongitudinal axis of the hydrophobic tubular shield after forming of thetubular shield and the width W of the hydrophobic sheet 20 is measuredparallel to the longitudinal axis of the hydrophobic tubular shield asillustrated in FIG. 4 a.

It is preferable that the hydrophobic sheet 20 have a width W sufficientto allow the hydrophobic tubular shield to extend outwardly from bothopen ends of the bore 12 by at least one to two inches or more (if thebore 12 has a closed end, then the width W is sufficient to extendoutwardly from the open end of the bore 12 by at least one inch) as bestillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8 c of the drawings. The extended endportions of the tubular shield ensure that the interior surface of thebore 12 is not contacted by cleaning materials (e.g. sand particles fromsandblasting) or paint. For example, if the axial length of a bore 12 isfour inches, then the width W of the hydrophobic sheet 20 is preferablyat least six inches to allow for extension of at least one inch pastboth open ends of the bore 12.

It is further preferable that the hydrophobic sheet 20 have a length Lsufficient to allow for at least 50% to 100+% wrapping of thehydrophobic sheet 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 4d, 7a through 8b of thedrawings. It is further preferable that the length L of the hydrophobicsheet 20 be at least greater than or equal to the circumference of thebore 12 plus 50% of the circumference of the bore 12 to ensure that atleast 50% wrapping of the hydrophobic sheet 20 is achieved. For example,if the circumference of a bore 12 is four inches, the length L of thehydrophobic sheet 20 is preferably at least six inches thereby providingfor at least two inches of overlap of the hydrophobic sheet 20 whenwrapped into a tubular roll shape.

Below are some additional examples of desired sizes for the hydrophobicsheet 20 based on the size of the bore 12.

Bore Bore Minimum Width Minimum Length Circumference Length of Sheet ofSheet 4 Inches 4 Inches 6 Inches  6 Inches 6 Inches 4 Inches 6 Inches  9Inches 8 Inches 4 Inches 6 Inches 12 Inches 10 Inches  6 Inches 8 Inches15 Inches

It can be appreciated that various standard sizes for the hydrophobicsheet 20 may be used such as 5×7 inches, 7×10 inches, 5×10 inches, 10×15inches and the like. In addition, the hydrophobic sheet 20 may becomprised of a large roll of hydrophobic material having a predeterminedwidth (e.g. 5 inches) wherein the length L of the sheet is determined bythe end user cutting the desired length with a scissors or other cuttingdevice. Alternatively, perforations or weakened areas at equidistantlyspaced locations along the length of the sheet of hydrophobic materialmay be used which allow the user to simply tear along to acquire thedesired length of hydrophobic sheet 20.

The hydrophobic sheet 20 preferably has a thickness of between 0.012inches to 0.032 inches, however, greater or less thicknesses may be useddepending upon the diameter of bore 12 used upon. The greater thediameter size of the bore 12, the thicker the hydrophobic sheet 20 iscomprised of to provide additional resiliency to the hydrophobic tubularshield formed from thereof. Below is a chart illustrating somethicknesses for the hydrophobic sheet 20 found to be suitable fordifferent diameters of bores 12.

Thickness of Bore Diameter Bore Diameter Hydrophobic Sheet (Minimum)(Maximum) 0.012 Inches 0.75 Inches 2.50 Inches 0.017 Inches 2.00 Inches4.00 Inches 0.022 Inches 3.00 Inches 6.00 Inches 0.032 Inches 4.00Inches 9.00+ Inches 

C. 1s Embodiment of Hydrophobic Sheet

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the hydrophobic sheet 20(and the resulting hydrophobic tubular shield) is comprised of acomposition of a base material and a binder material. The base materialis preferably comprised of a hard (highly densified) fiber material. Thebase material is preferably comprised of a heat resistant material suchas heat resistant fibers (e.g. compressed aramid fibers). It isimportant that the fibers are highly compressed to maintain a desiredresiliency property. Alternative materials for the base material includebut are not limited to polyester film (biaxially-orientated polyethyleneterephthalate sold under the trademark MYLAR), plastic, polyester (PET),silicone base, polyimide, fiberglass, plastic laminate, acrylicsheeting, resin sheeting, thin metallic materials, thicker tin foilmaterial type, high density fiber board or hardboard, compressed woodfiber, steam-cooked and pressure-molded wood fibers, paperboard and hightemperature linoleum.

The binder material is preferably comprised of a rubber material. Thebinder material is further preferably comprised of a nitrile (e.g.nitrile rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber). The binder material repelswater, liquid chemicals and paint to prevent the entry of the same intothe base material thereby maintaining the resiliency of the hydrophobicsheet 20. Alternative materials for the binder material include but arenot limited to acrylonitrile-butadiene, chloroprene, ethylene propylene,fluorosilicone, perfluoroelastomer, silicone, butyl, ethylene acrylic,fluorocarbon, hydrogenated nitrile, and polyacrylate.

The hydrophobic sheet 20 may be comprised of only one material of thebase material compressed into a sheet of material. In addition, thehydrophobic sheet 20 may be comprised of any combination of one or morebase materials with one or more binder materials discussed herein.

D. 2^(nd) Embodiment of Hydrophobic Sheet

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the hydrophobic sheet20 (and the resulting hydrophobic tubular shield) is comprised of a corematerial 26 coated with a first hydrophobic layer 27 and a secondhydrophobic layer 28 on opposing sides of the core material 26. Thehydrophobic sheet 20 is comprised of a core material 26 coated with afirst hydrophobic layer 27 to form the first surface 22 and a secondhydrophobic layer 28 to form the second surface 24.

The core material 26 may be comprised of a hydrophobic material.However, the core material 26 may also be comprised of a non-hydrophobicmaterial with the hydrophobic layers 27, 28 surrounding and protectingthe non-hydrophobic material. The core material 26 is preferablycomprised of a hard (highly densified) fiber material. The core material26 is preferably comprised of a heat resistant material such as heatresistant fibers (e.g. compressed aramid fibers). As with the firstembodiment, it is important that the fibers are highly compressed tomaintain a desired resiliency property. Alternative materials for thecore material 26 include but are not limited to polyester film(biaxially-orientated polyethylene terephthalate sold under thetrademark MYLAR), plastic, polyester (PET), silicone base, polyimide,fiberglass, plastic laminate, acrylic sheeting, resin sheeting, thinmetallic materials, thicker tin foil material type, high density fiberboard or hardboard, compressed wood fiber, steam-cooked andpressure-molded wood fibers, paperboard and high temperature linoleum.

The hydrophobic layers 27, 28 are preferably comprised of a rubber (e.g.silicone rubber). The hydrophobic layers 27, 28 are further preferablycomprised of a nitrile (e.g. nitrile rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber).The hydrophobic layers 27, 28 may also be comprised of various otherhydrophobic materials such as but not limited to plastic, silicone andthe like. The hydrophobic layers 27, 28 repel water, liquid chemicalsand paint to prevent the entry of the same into the core material 26thereby maintaining the resiliency of the hydrophobic sheet 20.Alternative materials for the hydrophobic layers 27, 28 include but arenot limited to acrylonitrile-butadiene, chloroprene, ethylene propylene,fluorosilicone, perfluoroelastomer, silicone, butyl, ethylene acrylic,fluorocarbon, hydrogenated nitrile, and polyacrylate.

E. Forming of the Hydrophobic Sheet into a Hydrophobic Tubular Shield

To form the hydrophobic tubular shield, the hydrophobic sheet 20 isfirst rolled upon itself into a tubular structure having opposing openends as illustrated in FIGS. 4a through 4d of the drawings. The formingof the hydrophobic sheet 20 into hydrophobic tubular shield may beperformed manually by a person or by a machine. The end productcomprised of the hydrophobic tubular shield may be used immediatelyafter forming or packaged after forming for use at a later time (or forshipping to a different end user).

To roll the hydrophobic sheet 20, the user (or manufacturer) starts at afirst end of the hydrophobic sheet 20 (see FIG. 4b ) and then continuesto roll the first end along the length L of the hydrophobic sheet 20until the second end of the hydrophobic sheet 20 is rolled into thetubular shape (see FIG. 4d ). The initial exterior diameter of thehydrophobic tubular shield formed by the rolling of the hydrophobicsheet 20 is less than the interior diameter of the bore 12 when in theintermediate state as best illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 8a of thedrawings. The hydrophobic sheet 20 is wrapped at least 150% to form thehydrophobic tubular shield as best illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 8a of thedrawings.

F. Insertion of Hydrophobic Tubular Shield into Bore

Prior to insertion of the rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 (i.e. thehydrophobic tubular shield) into the bore 12, the user retains thehydrophobic tubular shield in the intermediate state which is compressedprior to positioning in the bore 12. The user then aligns thelongitudinal axis of the rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 with the axis ofthe bore 12 as illustrated in FIG. 4e and then inserts a first end ofthe rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 into the first open end of the bore 12as illustrated in FIG. 4f of the drawings. The user continues theinsertion of the rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 until at least one inch ormore of the rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 extends outwardly from the firstopen end and the second open end of the bore 12 as illustrated in FIGS.4h , 6 and 8 c of the drawings.

Once the rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 is fully inserted, the userterminates the retaining of the hydrophobic tubular shield in theintermediate state (see FIGS. 7a and 8a ) which allows for the expansionof the tubular shield against and in direct contact with the interiorsurface of the bore 12 because of the resiliency of the hydrophobicsheet 20 (see FIGS. 7b and 8b ). As is shown in FIGS. 7a through 8b ,the exterior diameter of the hydrophobic tubular shield is greater inthe final expanded state than in the intermediate state. The directcontact with the interior surface of the bore 12 prevents particles(e.g. sand) and paint from contacting the interior surface of the bore12. The entire interior surface of the bore 12 is preferably in contactwith the second surface 24 (i.e. exterior surface) of the rolledhydrophobic sheet 20.

G. Cleaning and Painting of the Object

With the rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 properly positioned within the bore12, the object 10 and the segment 11 of the object 10 containing thebore 12 may then be cleaned by either dipping the object 10 along withthe rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 into a cleaning tank 16 containing avolume of liquid cleaner for a period of time as illustrated in FIG. 4iof the drawings or by performing a spray wash, or a combination of thetwo washing systems. One advantage of the present invention is that ahook or smaller pin may be inserted through the interior of the rolledhydrophobic sheet 20 to provide support to the object 10 forlifting/lowering while maintaining protection for the entire interiorsurface of the bore 12. The hydrophobic properties of the rolledhydrophobic sheet 20 prevent the liquid cleaner/chemicals from beingabsorbed by the rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 and also assist in repellingthe liquid cleaner/chemicals from the interior surface of the bore 12.Various other cleaning processes may be performed as can be appreciatedby one skilled in the art of painting (e.g. sandblasting).

After the object 10 is cleaned, the object 10 is ready to be paintedutilizing any desired painting process. FIG. 4j illustrates painting theobject 10 utilizing a plurality of paint nozzles 14. The object 10 mayalso be dipped in paint for painting the object 10. The hydrophobicproperties of the rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 prevent the paint frombeing absorbed by the rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 and also assist inrepelling the paint from the interior surface of the bore 12. Inaddition, with the rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 extending outwardly atleast one inch from both open ends of the bore 12, there is little riskof paint being applied to the interior surface of the bore 12.

After the object 10 is painted, the paint must be cured either by airdrying or within a bake oven. The rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 may beremoved prior to or after curing of the paint, whereas it is preferableto retain the rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 within the bore 12 duringcuring to prevent any accidental dripping of paint within the interiorsurface of the bore 12.

H. Removal of Rolled Hydrophobic Sheet

The rolled hydrophobic sheet 20 may be removed by grasping one end andpulling outwardly from the bore 12 as shown in FIG. 4k of the drawings.However, it is preferable for the user to grasp both exposed ends of thehydrophobic sheet 20 with both hands, rotating the rolled hydrophobicsheet 20 and then pulling from one end to remove the same. As shown inFIG. 4k , the shading illustrates the paint adhering to the object 10but not within the interior of the bore 12. The user is then able toinsert a pin or other object 10 into the bore 12 without obstruction bypaint or debris for assembly and to ensure that the bore 12 is clean ofobstruction.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described above. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specificforms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof,and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilizedwithin the description are for convenience only and have no legal orlimiting effect.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of forming a masking product for abore in an object, comprising: providing a hydrophobic sheet having aninitial shape, a first surface and a second surface opposite of saidfirst surface; forming said hydrophobic sheet into a hydrophobic tubularshield, wherein said hydrophobic tubular shield has an exterior diameterless than an interior diameter of said bore when in an intermediatestate; retaining said hydrophobic tubular shield in said intermediatestate prior to positioning within said bore; inserting said hydrophobictubular shield into said bore; and terminating said step of retainingsaid hydrophobic tubular shield to allow said hydrophobic tubular shieldto expand from said intermediate state to a final state, wherein saidfinal state of said hydrophobic tubular shield has a diameter greaterthan said intermediate state of said hydrophobic tubular shield andwherein an outer surface of said hydrophobic tubular shield is incontact with an interior surface of said bore; cleaning said object withsaid hydrophobic tubular shield positioned within said bore of saidobject; painting said object with said hydrophobic tubular shieldpositioned within said bore of said object, wherein the hydrophobicproperties of said hydrophobic tubular shield prevent paint from beingabsorbed by said hydrophobic tubular shield and repel paint from saidinterior surface of said bore of said object.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said initial shape of said hydrophobic sheet is planar.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said initial shape is of said hydrophobicsheet is tubular.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said hydrophobictubular shield extends outwardly from a first opening of said bore atleast one inch.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said hydrophobictubular shield extends outwardly from a second opening of said bore atleast one inch, wherein said second opening of said bore is opposite ofsaid first opening.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said step offorming is comprised of rolling said hydrophobic sheet.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said hydrophobic sheet is comprised of either a squareor rectangular shape when in said initial shape.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein said hydrophobic sheet is comprised of a core material coatedwith a first hydrophobic layer to form said first surface.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein said hydrophobic sheet is comprised of a corematerial coated with a second hydrophobic layer to form said secondsurface.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said core material iscomprised of a non-hydrophobic material.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein said first hydrophobic layer and said second hydrophobic layerare comprised of rubber.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said corematerial is comprised of compressed aramid fibers.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said hydrophobic sheet is comprised of a plurality offibers and a binder comprised of rubber.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein said rubber is comprised of a nitrile.
 15. The method of claim1, wherein said hydrophobic sheet is comprised of a fiber coated with anitrile.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said fiber is comprised ofaramid fibers.
 17. A method of forming a masking product for a bore inan object, comprising: providing a hydrophobic sheet having an initialshape, a first surface and a second surface opposite of said firstsurface, and wherein said initial shape of said hydrophobic sheet isplanar; forming said hydrophobic sheet into a hydrophobic tubular shieldhaving an intermediate state, wherein said hydrophobic tubular shieldhas an exterior diameter less than an interior diameter of said bore ofsaid object when in said intermediate state; retaining said hydrophobictubular shield in said intermediate state prior to inserting saidhydrophobic tubular shield within said bore of said object; insertingsaid hydrophobic tubular shield into said bore of said object so thatsaid hydrophobic tubular shield extends outwardly from opposing openingsof said bore; terminating said step of retaining said hydrophobictubular shield to allow said hydrophobic tubular shield to expand fromsaid intermediate state to a final state, wherein said final state ofsaid hydrophobic tubular shield has a diameter greater than saidintermediate state of said hydrophobic tubular shield and wherein anouter surface of said hydrophobic tubular shield is in contact with aninterior surface of said bore of said object; painting said object withsaid hydrophobic tubular shield positioned within said bore of saidobject, wherein the hydrophobic properties of said hydrophobic tubularshield prevent paint from being absorbed by said hydrophobic tubularshield and repel paint from said interior surface of said bore of saidobject; and removing said hydrophobic tubular shield after said step ofpainting said object.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said step offorming is comprised of rolling said hydrophobic sheet.
 19. A method offorming a masking product for a bore in an object, comprising: providingan object having a bore, wherein said bore has a pair of opposingopenings; providing a hydrophobic sheet having an initial shape, a firstsurface and a second surface opposite of said first surface, whereinsaid initial shape of said hydrophobic sheet is planar, and wherein saidhydrophobic sheet is comprised of either a square or rectangular shapewhen in said initial shape; rolling said hydrophobic sheet upon itselfinto a tubular structure having opposing open ends forming a hydrophobictubular shield having an intermediate state, wherein said hydrophobictubular shield has an exterior diameter less than an interior diameterof said bore of said object when in said intermediate state; retainingsaid hydrophobic tubular shield in said intermediate state prior toinserting said hydrophobic tubular shield within said bore of saidobject; aligning a longitudinal axis of said hydrophobic tubular shieldwith an axis of said bore; inserting said hydrophobic tubular shieldinto said bore of said object until said hydrophobic tubular shieldextends outwardly from said pair of opposing openings of said bore;terminating said step of retaining said hydrophobic tubular shield toallow said hydrophobic tubular shield to expand from said intermediatestate to a final state, wherein said final state of said hydrophobictubular shield has a diameter greater than said intermediate state ofsaid hydrophobic tubular shield and wherein an outer surface of saidhydrophobic tubular shield is in contact with an interior surface ofsaid bore of said object; cleaning said object with said hydrophobictubular shield positioned within said bore of said object; painting saidobject with said hydrophobic tubular shield positioned within said boreof said object, wherein the hydrophobic properties of said hydrophobictubular shield prevent paint from being absorbed by said hydrophobictubular shield and repel paint from said interior surface of said boreof said object; and removing said hydrophobic tubular shield after saidstep of painting said object.